About Common Sense Home
Common Sense Home is a trusted online resource dedicated to empowering individuals and families to embrace self-reliant, sustainable lifestyles.
With its focus on practical advice and actionable solutions, the brand provides a wealth of knowledge in areas like gardening, food preservation, natural remedies, homesteading, and preparedness. It combines traditional wisdom with modern techniques, appealing to those who value resilience, independence, and a connection to the land.
Common Sense Home speaks like a trusted neighbor or mentor, offering guidance that’s both approachable and reliable. We’ve been at this for decades, and we know stuff, and share what we know.
Why we talk about Resilience and Abundance
We started the site simply to share our story, but it’s become more than that. We live in challenging times, and the “resilience and abundance” mindset is critical to prosperity.
Resilience
Resilience is the ability to adapt, recover, and thrive in the face of challenges, adversity, or change.
“Fall seven times, rise eight.” – Japanese Proverb
We empower individuals and families to adapt to challenges by building skills, creating food security through gardening and food preservation, and enhancing energy and resource efficiency.
We emphasize proactive measures to prepare for emergencies, while fostering a deeper connection with nature and a simpler, more intentional lifestyle.
Abundance
Abundance isn’t just about having more, but about appreciating and wisely utilizing what you have. It’s about becoming creators, innovators, and producers, instead of just consumers.
There’s enough “pie” for everyone if we learn how to make more “pie”. When we do well, we can share our surplus with others.
We encourage readers to cultivate abundance through practices like gardening, preserving food, and reducing waste. Be thankful, and build a life rich in skills and community. Live in harmony with nature, and enjoy meaningful experiences.
What’s the plant in the Common Sense Home logo?
Just in case you’re wondering about the plant in the Common Sense Home logo, it’s common plantain, Plantago major. My grandmother called it medicine leaf, and it was one of the first wild plants that I learned to use.
I chose as a reminder that the help you need might be found where you least expect it. It also teaches us to thrive in adverse conditions, as it grows in rough conditions, like sidewalk cracks and compacted soil.
Our Story
Common Sense Home started as a way to share our story as we moved out to the country to pursue a more self-reliant lifestyle. Over the years, we’ve helped millions learn about growing your own food and medicine, food storage and preservation, emergency preparedness, and more.
Our Homestead
We began our marriage staying with family while we built our first home in the suburbs of Green Bay, Wisconsin. We filled the yard with dwarf fruit trees and gardens, but we always dreamed of our own place in the country.
In 2004, we decided to take the plunge and move so our sons would grow up on the homestead. We found our land when Laurie spotted a “For Sale” sign tipped over in a ditch. The home was built in an old cow pasture after we swapped land with a neighbor for a driveway to get to the landlocked pasture.
Our family’s Green Built certified home includes an attached greenhouse, root cellar and canning pantry, which extend the growing season and allow us to store food for year round use. We also built a coop/greenhouse complex, for chickens, ducks, and growing more food. Eventually we added two ponds, solar panels and a workshop.
Learn More About Our Northeast Wisconsin Homestead
Our Homestead – Then and Now – How Things Have Changed
The Gardens
The raw land was rough, with compacted soil closer to the house and thick grass roots farther away. Our first garden was a sad, weedy mess, planted with a few leftover transplants from Laurie’s mother.
Over time, we added many garden beds, two orchards, nut trees and shrubs, and other edible and medicinal plants. We went from soil that the boys had to use a pick ax to break up to soil that looks like chocolate cake.
Overcoming Adversity
Things haven’t always been easy, but we’ve made it through as a family. In 2008, August lost his job during the economic downturn. After a year of freelancing, he found a full time position – an hour and a half away.
We debated selling the homestead and everything we’d worked for, but decided to hang on. August came home on weekends, and Laurie and the boys kept the homestead going. After five long years, August finally found a position back in the area and the family was back together full time again.
Then, in 2015, Laurie had a debilitating attack of psoriasis, with peeling, blistering skin over about a third of her body. When the “experts” told her to live with it, she took matters into her own hands, and figured out a way to clear her skin.
At the end of 2023, August’s full time job ended. He started a consulting business, but things are different from the first time he lost his job. Now, we have other revenue streams. We also produce most of our food and electricity. No matter what happens, we can make it through together.
Laurie Neverman
From a small dairy farm in northwest Wisconsin, to catering, to working as an engineer at the world’s largest solar water heating system, and back out to the country again.
August Neverman IV
Broadband Champion, I/T and Cyber Security strategic coach, disaster preparedness and business continuity and business process consultant.
Duncan Neverman
Gardening guru, massage therapist in training, Mr. Fix It, kitchen whiz, energy healer, and duck whisperer.
August Neverman V
Tech troubleshooter, builder, repair guy, and chicken wrangler.
Contact Us
You can reach us via email at laurie@commonsensehome.com.
We do not accept unsolicited guest posts.
Most of the photos featured on the site are from our homestead, but we do use some stock photos from depositphotos.
Good morning Laurie,Â
I wanted to let you know that about 7 years ago, you most likely saved my life.Â
After about 7 years of taking Synthroid which I could not digest, and being told there was nothing more my care provider could do for me. I ran across your post on Armour Thyroid medication. I had to have my thyroid destroyed by radioactive iodine due to Graves Disease. But by now, after years of not being able to digest the artificial hormone, I had a stomach full of bleeding ulcers. When I finally had an upper GI the doctor told my husband that I only had a spot the size of a quarter of normal stomach lining. The rest was scar tissue and bleeding ulcers. By now my liver had also been damaged due to the extreme stress of trying to digest the undigestable, and blood had begun backing up into my legs. I found a Nurse Practitioner after reading about your journey and my first question for her was, “do you prescribe Armour thyroid?” She said yes. Please keep in mind I had seen the best medical care available in my community for those 7 years taking Synthroid and always being told there was nothing more they could do for me. And that all my bloodwork was “normal”. No one ever offered the Armour, most likely because that is not spoken about when the Pharmacy Representative comes to call. My systems were severely damaged, with some healing taking place. But I still must continue to make sure I do not eat offending foods that I cannot digest with what is left of my stomach. But most of the time I feel good, and life is livable once again. I have a new grandson to enjoy and we just returned from a Disney cruise with the baby and of course his mom and dad. I now live in East Texas where I do not have to try and survive cold weather, we have chickens and a garden. I bake our bread, cook from scratch with organic supplies as much as is possible in our small community with limited grocery services. But I did want to send this sincere thank you, to you. And wish you a very Merry Christmas. —
Melynda with Scratch Made Food! & DIY Homemade Household
I’m so glad you were able to find a better option for your health, and thankful that I was able to play some small part in that. Thank you for sharing your journey. Stories like yours help keep me going in spite of all the many changes online.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year.
Dear Laurie and Family ~
I am living with a couple. The man, Tony, came down with this intense cough. He was not able to get rest from it for he was coughing every few minutes. I had been brought up learning about herbs etc. Therefore I KNOW THEY WORK BETTER THAN ANY CONVENTIONAL DOCTORS REMEDY.
I was looking on line for a recipe to help Tony’s predicament. (I felt so bad for him that he even was at the point of hurting in his ribs.). I took to the internet. You were one of the first sights that I came across.
I found the recipe for the chocolate cough drops!
I needed him to feel better quickly therefore I made him this recipe. He mentioned that he was able to feel it working as he began to eat these!!! I ended up making another larger batch the following day, now his cough is practically gone! Two days! Father God created all the herbs of the fields for our consumption for healing….
I am grateful to Father God for directing me to your wonderful little website packed with insight that you have restored from the days of our grandparents. Thank you from my heart for this amazing recipe! God bless you and your Family.
Thank you again,
Lady Miriam
You’re welcome. I passed along your thanks to my friend, Amber, who shared her recipes for the article. I’m so glad that Tony is doing better. I love how herbal remedies are so often gentle but effective.
I would like to receive more of your wonderful tips and advice from common Sense home pls. Thank you. Take care, Gill.
Hi Gill. I’ve entered your email and you should receive a welcome note shortly, and then the weekly newsletter next weekend. Thank you for stopping by and taking time to reach out.
Hi. Can I vacuum seal powdered sugar without an oxygen absorber? I have about 4 bags and want to keep them as fresh as possible I was going to vacuum seal them and place them in a container.
Thank you!
Just keeping the powdered sugar in an airtight container will help it last a long time. No O2 absorber needed. If you do decide to vacuum seal, be careful not to suck the sugar into your sealer.
If you live in a humid area, adding a moisture absorber will help prevent clumping.
Hi Commonsensehome Team,
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Do you know of any quick-acting and strong natural muscle relaxants that could be used topically and that do not require alcohol?
Also, do you know of any quick-acting and effective natural bladder pain relievers?
Thank you so much.
Topical muscle relaxant = magnesium cream or magnesium spray. I like Earthley’s Good Night Lotion.
Bladder pain relievers – I don’t have a quick fix for that one, and if it’s a recurring problem, you may want to seek professional help. I know that certain foods will trigger bladder pain for me, so if it’s intermittent pain, it may be helpful check what you’ve been eating before the pain occurs, or try an elimination diet and see if it helps with the pain.
Hello, I just read your information on how to make dandylion wine. My Mom is 83 and she told me about the wine. I had never heard of it before.
I have one question. How sweet is the finished wine? 3 pounds of sugar sounds very sweet. Thank you!
P.S. Can you send me the answer to the email I provided?
The finished dandelion wine is not excessively sweet, because the yeast converts much of the sugar to alcohol. My husband says it tastes like a good brandy.
I look forward to your Weekly letters.
Thank you. I’m glad you enjoy them.
Is this correct? The best form to purchase Milk Thistle in… is seed? and seed can be used for tincture…yes..etc.. you can grind into powder as well..
Milk Thistle can be used for better milk supply in nursing mommy’s…however: there are warnings do not consume if u are pregnant or breast feeding… can u clarify that for me? thank u so much for your time…
Hi Peggy.
Milk thistle seeds are easy to use, affordable, and when taken in “normal” amounts, extremely safe. As the nuts.com people note, they’re good to eat, with a range of nutrients.
The concerns come in where you’re using a more refined form, or in unusually large doses. If you are nursing or pregnant, it’s best to check in with your healthcare provider if you are considering anything more than occasional use. Some people get carried away with supplements or new foods.
I read a review concerning the book “The Lost Ways”. You mentioned “The Encyclopedia of Country living” as an excellent book. Will any of their books be ok? I’ve seen several older issues on sale at second hand stores – they are on their 50th Ann book this year. Should I spend the $ to get the newest book or are the older ones better?
Thanks!
Go ahead and grab the deals – the older ones are fine. Carla passed away in 2005, so any updates after that time are not her work. That’s part of the reason I recommended that book – because it’s affordable and widely available. Note that it’s not as picture focused as some other more recent books. You can check out my other top recommendations (and their pros and cons) in the Best Homesteading Books article.
Hi Laurie,
I am hoping to use your strawberry rhubarb jam recipe this weekend. I ended up having to freeze my strawberries and rhubarb because I didn’t have time during the season to make jam. I was wondering if you have used frozen fruit when doing this recipe? I do have the Pomona universal pectin.. thank you for your insights.
Hi Sharon! It’s absolutely find to use frozen fruit for jam making. Do thaw before measuring the fruit so it’s not in big icy chunks.
Hello,
We’re interested in advertising on commonsensehome.com
Can you please direct me to the best person to speak to about this?
Thanks!
Max
Hi Laurie, used to follow you on FB…is there any plan to make an account on Gab.com in your near future? I would love it! Thanks
Hi MJ.
I have a personal account on Gab, but haven’t done much with it. The service has been loading poorly for me, and there are only so many hours in the day.
We do have a MeWe group at https://mewe.com/join/common_sense_homesteading that gets a fair amount of interaction.
The best way to get regular updates is the newsletter. You can sign up using any of the forms on the site, including the one on the Subscribe page.
Hello, I’m having a hard time trying to find (3.7 Volt 1000 mAh ICR 18650 Batteries). Do you know where I can purchase about 6 of them? The only company I found is alibaba, but you have to buy 100 units.
Thanks
Unfortunately we don’t have a handy source for smaller quantities matching those specifications.
I have spent the morning making your orange marmalade. I am done water bathing it and it is thin. I don’t know that it will thicken up. What did I do wrong?
Jams, jellies and marmalades normally set up as they cool, so odds are it will be just fine.
Hello,
Do you sell Geodesic Greenhouses? If not, might you direct me to, for example, the company you allude to in your Harvest Right article in Cplorado and any others for purposes of comparison?
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
I’m confused about the wording of your question. In the post I clearly state that we purchased a Harvest Right greenhouse in the very first sentence.
“In 2018, we purchased a 16′ Harvest Right geodesic dome greenhouse to review.”
There is no alluding.
Unfortunately, Harvest Right stopped selling the kits shortly after I wrote my review, due to low demand for the greenhouses and continued high demand for their freeze dryers.
I spoke with my contact at the company, and he doesn’t know when or if they will be reintroduced. I am not aware of any similar style units, but if you search you can find some other types of custom built geodesic dome greenhouses.
Good afternoon. I hope you can help me with a question about a recipe I’ve thought up for canning beef sliders. I have only been canning a couple of years now but I see no reason this wont work.
I would like to season ground beef with garlic/s&p, form into thin patties and cook them in the oven, and layer them in hot jars with slice of onion between each patty and process them as I have in the past for ground beef.
I know contents being too dense is an issue, but with the patty prepared thin (a chicken breast is much thicker) and the onion between should help the heat circulate, it seems to me this should work fine. Can you please share your thoughts? Thanks you for your prompt reply.
Teresa
I don’t know how well they would stay in patty form, but as long as you keep them thin and use the spacing you describe and cover with canning liquid for heat transfer, it would seem that food safety guidelines are being met.
Just wanted to say hi Laurie, this is a truly wonderful blog! My husband and I also run a homesteading/gardening blog and you are an inspiration!
Elle Meager
Hi Laurie,
I learned about you from the Modern Homesteading Summit. Thanks for all your interesting information. I have a question: Where can I find information for homesteading in the tropics? All the information I have encountered has been for homesteads in more northerly climates. I live on a small acreage in the very south of Tamaulipas, Mexico at 22.2331° N, 97.8611° W. Can you point me in the right direction, please?
Lyn
There aren’t a ton of websites out there that focus on the tropics. Maybe they’re too busy enjoy the weather? There’s a thread on reddit where you may have good luck making connections – https://www.reddit.com/r/Homesteading/comments/3zsu8q/any_tropical_homesteaders_here/, but it hasn’t been active for a while.
Hello Sir / Madam,
I have read the ICF home construction article on your website, It is quite interesting, But I have some questions.
We live in India the weather condition there it is winter 4 months summer 4 months and raining season 4 months, So this ICF construction is suitable as I look about the weather conditions will change 3 times in a year.
The durability/life span of a home how many years, it will stand with the living condition.
the cost of construction how it will vary as compared to old kind of construction i.e bricks and concrete use.
Please help me with this, I will be looking forward for your reply.
Thank you
Regards
Shahid.
Properly built, ICF construction should last for decades, possibly generations. The technology has been around since the 1970s, so those early buildings are around 40 years old and counting. The EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) that the forms are created from is inert (non-reactive). If covered with siding to protect from UV radiation and not exposed to fire or noxious chemicals, it is relatively unaffected by normal environmental conditions.
As for cost, it’s difficult for me to say because I don’t have experience with typical construction costs in your area and costs of the forms in your area.There is an Indian manufacturer of ICF forms. In the United States, much of the cost lies in additional labor, with multiple pours of concrete and slightly different requirement for finishing. If you’re comparing to all brick construction, that would be quite labor intensive, so I would expect ICF to be cheaper. Compared to plain concrete, I would expect building costs to be higher, but maintenance, heating and cooling to be lower (and a longer lifespan).